Types of Peripheral Neuropathies

There are many types of peripheral neuropathy, which can be brought on by diabetes, genetic predisposition (hereditary causes), exposure to toxic chemicals, alcoholism, malnutrition, inflammation (infectious or autoimmune), injury and nerve compression, and by taking certain medications such as those used to treat cancer and HIV/AIDS. When the cause of a person's peripheral neuropathy remains unknown, it is called 'idiopathic'—a term for a disease or disorder having no known cause.

Click on the links below to see a general description of each type of peripheral neuropathy; the signs and symptoms; the evaluations and tests; and the treatment options currently known: